Prunus lusitanica
Portugal Laurel

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where most, if not all members of the genus produce hydrogen cyanide, a poison that gives almonds their characteristic flavour. This toxin is found mainly in the leaves and seed and is readily detected by its bitter taste. It is usually present in too small a quantity to do any harm but any very bitter seed or fruit should not be eaten. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

Notes

The fruit is probably edible when fully ripe but should not be eaten if it is bitter because this bitterness is caused by the presence of toxic compounds, see the notes above on toxicity[K]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter and contains one large seed^[1]. Seed - raw or cooked. Do not eat the seed if it is too bitter - see the notes above on toxicity.

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A very good plant for a low windbreak^[2]. It is also used as a medium to tall hedge and for topiary^[3]^[4]^[1].

A green dye can be obtained from the leaves^[5].

A dark grey to green dye can be obtained from the fruit^[5].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, all members of the genus contain amygdalin and prunasin, substances which break down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly poisonous compound stimulates respiration, improves digestion and gives a sense of well-being^[6].

There are no medicinal uses listed for Prunus lusitanica.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe^[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame as early in the year as possible^[1]. Protect the seed from mice etc. The seed can be rather slow, sometimes taking 18 months to germinate^[7]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame^[8]^[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, October in a sheltered north facing border outdoors^[7].

Layering in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Prunus lusitanica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

Succeeds on all soil types^[9], though it prefers a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil^[8]^[1]. Prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present^[10]. Thrives on chalk according to other reports^[11]^[4]^[1]. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though it fruits better in a sunny position^[8]^[1].

Hardy to about -20°c^[2]. A very ornamental plant^[10], there are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value^[4]. Grows well in a woodland^[9]. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged^[6]. Plants are susceptible to silver leaf disease^[8]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus^[1]. The flowers are pleasantly scented^[4].

Any trimming is best done with secateurs in August^[4]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Prunus lusitanica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Prunus lusitanica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

? ^1.00^1.01^1.02^1.03^1.04^1.05^1.06^1.07^1.08^1.09^1.10^1.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1^2.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
? ^3.0^3.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1^4.2^4.3^4.4^4.5 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
? ^5.0^5.1^5.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
? ^6.0^6.1^6.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
? ^7.0^7.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
? ^8.0^8.1^8.2^8.3^8.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? ^9.0^9.1 Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (1980-00-00)
? ^10.0^10.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

"image:Prunus-lusitanica-fruits.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

[PFAFimport-200-1] ? ^1.00^1.01^1.02^1.03^1.04^1.05^1.06^1.07^1.08^1.09^1.10^1.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-184-2] ? ^2.0^2.1^2.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)

[PFAFimport-29-3] ? ^3.0^3.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)

[PFAFimport-182-4] ? ^4.0^4.1^4.2^4.3^4.4^4.5 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-168-5] ? ^5.0^5.1^5.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)

[PFAFimport-238-6] ? ^6.0^6.1^6.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)

[PFAFimport-113-7] ? ^7.0^7.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)

[PFAFimport-11-8] ? ^8.0^8.1^8.2^8.3^8.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-28-9] ? ^9.0^9.1 Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (1980-00-00)

[PFAFimport-1-10] ? ^10.0^10.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

[PFAFimport-98-11] ? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()

[PFAFimport-50] ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

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Article is incomplete	Yes +
Article requires citations	No +
Article requires cleanup	Yes +
Belongs to family	Rosaceae +
Belongs to genus	Prunus +
Functions as	Hedge +
Has common name	Portugal Laurel +
Has drought tolerance	Intolerant +
Has edible part	Fruit + and Seeds +
Has edible use	Unknown use +
Has fertility type	Insects +
Has flowers of type	Hermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone	7 +
Has image	Prunus-lusitanica-fruits.JPG +
Has lifecycle type	Perennial +
Has material part	Unknown part +
Has material use	Dye +
Has mature height	6 +
Has mature width	6 +
Has primary image	Prunus-lusitanica-fruits.JPG +
Has search name	prunus lusitanica + and x +
Has shade tolerance	Light shade +
Has soil ph preference	Acid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preference	Clay +
Has soil teloamyture preference	Loamy +
Has soil tesandyture preference	Sandy +
Has soil water retention preference	Well drained +
Has sun preference	Full sun +
Has taxonomy name	Prunus lusitanica +
Has water requirements	moderate +
Is deciduous or evergreen	Evergreen +
Is herbaceous or woody	Woody +
Is taxonomy type	Species +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soil	No +
Uses mature size measurement unit	Meters +